Initially you will be asked: Where is your emergency? Please give an address, intersection, mile marker or, in the case of a wilderness area or park area, your location such as a trail or landmark.

In Lewis and Clark County, a growing number of people are choosing to use a cell phone instead of a traditional phone line at home. Citizens are still under the assumption that we know where they are calling from when using a cell phone. This is not always the case. You need to be aware of where you are so that you can properly identify your location to emergency services.

Next, we need to know what type of emergency you are having. Will it require law, medical or fire response?

If your emergency requires a law response, you may be asked question such as:

Is anyone intoxicated or under the influence of drugs?

Can you provide a description of suspects and/or a vehicle involved?

Does anyone have any weapons? If so, what are they and where are they?

If your emergency requires a medical response, you will be asked:

What is the problem? What exactly happened? The answer to this question will determine what type of medical problem is happening.

The age of the person having the problem and their status (i.e. conscious and breathing)

Then, depending on the problem, we will ask questions that provide additional information for the responding medical personnel.

All 911 Telecommunication personnel at the Helena Police Department 911 Center have been trained to give instructions during child birth, CPR, Heimlich Maneuver and other instructions that may aid in saving someone’s life.

If the emergency requires the fire department response, you may be asked:

Is smoke or flames showing?

If there are flames, are any structures threatened?

If there are flames, smoke or odors within a structure, has it been evacuated?

Do you know the source?

If it is a business or a garage, what types of chemicals are in the building?

If you do call 911, even by mistake, do not hang up! 911 Center employees are trained to get the most important information as quickly as possible and get help on the way to an emergency. If you happen to call 911 by mistake, remain on the line, state there is no emergency and provide any requested information. This saves time from us having to call back and confirm there is not an emergency.